Consumer appliance and user interface having one or more touch sensors
a technology of touch sensors and consumer appliances, applied in the field of consumer appliances, can solve the problems of increasing the cost and difficulty of assembly of a user interfa
Active Publication Date: 2021-04-13
HAIER US APPLIANCE SOLUTIONS INC
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- Summary
- Abstract
- Description
- Claims
- Application Information
AI Technical Summary
Benefits of technology
The present invention relates to a consumer appliance, such as a refrigerator, with a user interface that includes a control board, a touch sensor, a reflector plate, and a light source. The user interface is designed to provide a better user experience for engaging with the appliance. The external panel of the user interface has a light aperture extending from the forward surface to the rearward surface of the control board, and the touch sensor is mounted on the control board in a position that is spaced apart from the front of the user interface. The reflector plate is positioned behind the control board and is spaced from the front of the user interface to create an open region. The light source is mounted on the control board at the rearward surface and faces rearward. The technical effect of this design is to enhance the visibility and user experience of the appliance by providing a consistent and bright visual cue through the user interface.
Problems solved by technology
In spite of these advantages, however, incorporating a touch sensor and a light source within a user interface can create various challenges (e.g., for assembly or manufacture).
Such configurations may, however, increase the cost and difficulty of assembly for a user interface.
Method used
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[0015]Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope of the invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.
[0016]As used herein, term “or” is generally intended to be inclusive (i.e., “A or B” is intended to mean “A or B or both”). The terms “first,”“second,” and “third” may be used interchangeably to distinguish one element from another and are not intended to signify lo...
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A consumer appliance, a provided herein, may include a cabinet and a user interface disposed on the cabinet. The user interface may include an external panel, a control board, a touch sensor, a reflector plate, and a light source. The external panel may include an outer surface facing outward and an inner surface positioned opposite from the outer surface. The control board may be positioned behind the external panel and include a forward surface facing the external panel and a rearward surface facing away from the external panel. The control board may define a light aperture extending therethrough. The touch sensor may be mounted on the control board and spaced apart from the forward surface. The reflector plate may be spaced rearward from the control board to define an open region. The light source may be mounted on the control board at the rearward surface and face rearward.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present subject matter relates generally to consumer appliances, such as laundry or washing machine appliances, and more particularly to user interfaces for consumer appliances.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Consumer appliances, such as washing machine appliances, dryer appliances, dishwashing appliances refrigerator appliances, oven appliances, microwave appliances, etc., generally include a user interface or control panel. Using the control panel, an appliance user can input control commands to the appliance and operate the appliance. Certain control panels include touch sensors, such as capacitive touch sensors, to detect an electrical field generated by a user's body to operate or engage the touch sensor. In particular, capacitive touch sensors can detect a change in capacitance when the user touches the control panel.[0003]Touch sensors have various benefits. For example, touch sensors can assist with providing a clean appearance for an associa...
Claims
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Login to View More IPC IPC(8): G09F13/06G09F13/14D06F34/28G06F3/044
CPCD06F34/28G06F3/044G06F1/1601D06F34/32
Inventor LEISL, III, DONALD JAMESWOODHAM, JR., RICHARD GARY
Owner HAIER US APPLIANCE SOLUTIONS INC